an agreement on how to avoid the looming fiscal cliff crisis. but as the hours tick down, neither side is optimistic. what will that mean for the american people? eric? >> again, i am on the record as saying, i was with you this morning saying i think we should name it the obama cliff and i think we should swan dive off of it because it's the only way democrats will cut spending because they are forced into it. if nothing happens, if a deal isn't struck over the next couple of months, people's paychecks will get smaller because payroll taxes will have expired. peopleville to pay in because the alternative minimum tax won't be patched. taxes will go up. spending cuts over time will happen as well. the stock market, i think the stock market will be hit hard. but again, here i am saying, let's do this. i have the most to lose of anyone i know. it's the only way to fix the economy. it's the best thing for the economy. >> okay. take us through what each side is wanting. >> here's what the deal is. president obama wants tax cuts to expire for everyone